Angling is one of the most widely practised human interactions with wild fish, and the evidence on fish pain and stress capacity makes catch-and-release practices an important welfare consideration.
The question of fish sentience and capacity for suffering is scientifically live and has significant implications for angling welfare standards. Evidence supports that fish experience aversive states in response to noxious stimuli, though debate continues about subjective experience. From a welfare perspective, minimising stress and injury during angling is both ethically appropriate and supported by growing scientific consensus. Best practice catch-and-release — barbless hooks, keepnets only when necessary, minimal air exposure, wet hands, and rapid release — substantially reduces the welfare cost of angling. Species-specific guidance exists for target fish including carp, trout, pike, and perch.